Charge: ‘Santa’ attacked Seattle homeless couple

BY LEVI PULKKINEN, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Updated 2:21 pm, Monday, December 24, 2012

A Seattle man bearing a remarkable resemblance to one jolly old elf is behind bars on allegations that he attacked a homeless couple in their tent.

King County prosecutors contend Troy Huntley stabbed at his alleged victims with a pair of scissors while also armed with a board. Huntley, 49, has been charged with assault and faces a possible life sentence under the state’s “Three Strikes” law.

Shortly before 8 p.m. on Dec. 15, the alleged victims were in their tent underneath Interstate 5 at South Oregon Street when they heard someone yelling at them.

“Get the hell out of here you baby rapist!” their assailant screamed before slashing into the tent with scissors, a Seattle detective told the court.

The pair fled and were able shelter near a fire truck until police arrived.

Speaking with police, the alleged victims detailed the attack and their assailant, the detective told the court.

“They described the suspect as a heavy white male who looked like Santa Claus,” the detective told the court.

Weighing in at 330 pounds, Huntley apparently fit the bill. Officers in the area arrested him shortly after the attack; according to charging documents he was carrying a pair of scissors and a large board with a nail pounded into it.

Huntely has been charged with second-degree assault and remains jailed. He has not yet entered a plea.